Multi-part bow ties

ABSTRACT

Multi-part bow ties are described. Such bow ties include at least a proximal panel that can easily be detached from a distal panel. The proximal and distal panels can be made from different fabrics, fabrics having different colors and/or patterns, etc., and thus enable a user to create bow ties wherein the distal and proximal panels have a different appearance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns neckwear apparel, particularly bow ties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bow ties are well known. By the time of the Industrial Revolutions inthe mid- to late-1800's, neckties and bow ties began to appear. Bow tiesare a much smaller, more convenient version of the cravat. Conventionalbow ties are made from of a ribbon of fabric symmetrically tied aroundthe collar of a man's dress shirt such that the two opposite ends formloops. FIG. 1 shows different types of conventional bow ties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides bow ties that each comprises afirst panel detachably connected to a second panel. Any suitablemultipart connector or fastener configured for easy, rapid disconnectioncan be employed, including mechanical and/or magnetic connectorsfasteners. As will be appreciated, the distal end of the first panelincludes a connector component that is complementary to the connectorcomponent at the distal end of the second panel.

In preferred embodiments, the first and second panels are made fromdifferent fabrics, fabrics having one or more different color(s), and/orfabrics having one or more different patterns.

In some embodiments, a bow tie of the invention further includes one ormore intervening panels disposed between the first and second panels.

Another aspect of the invention concerns kits that include a bow tie ofthe invention and instructions for use.

Still other aspects of the inventions relate to methods of making andtying bow ties of the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing drawings, detailed description, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a drawing that shows two conventional bow tie embodiments, (A)a bow tie having “butterfly wings” (1 a, 1 b) and (B) a bow tie having“bat wings” (2 a, 2 b).

FIGS. 2-7 illustrate representative embodiments of the invention.

As those in the art will appreciate, the following detailed descriptiondescribes certain preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, andis thus only representative and does not depict the actual scope of theinvention. Before describing the present invention in detail, it isunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particular aspectsand embodiments described, as these may vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit thescope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bow tie is a type of necktie, most often worn by men. Unlikeconventional bow ties, which are made from one or more pieces of fabricthat are stitched or otherwise permanently attached or connected, bowties of the invention comprise at least two panels that can be readilydetached or disconnected to facilitate mixing and matching of differentcolors, patterns, and/or fabrics. This allows a user to create bow tieswherein the distal and proximal panels have a different appearance.

Preferably, each panel represents one-half (or less) of a bow tie, andincludes a proximal portion and a distal portion. Depending upon thetype of bow tie, for example, a double-ended type (i.e., where theproximal ends of both panels are typically visible to viewers when thebow tie is worn; each end may be the same or a different shape) or asingle-ended type (i.e., where the proximal end of only one panel isvisible to viewers when the bow tie is worn), the proximal portions aretypically those that are seen when a bow tie is worn and which arelooped or tied about each other when tying a bow tie. The distal portiongenerally refers to the portion of a bow tie panel that associates witha shirt collar (when a shirt is worn under the bow tie) and which isused to connect the panel to another bow tie panel that has acomplementary connector at its distal end.

Ready detachment of the two panels can be accomplished using anysuitable multipart connector, including Velcro, a snap, or any othermechanical connector, a magnetic connector, combinations of mechanicaland magnetic connectors, etc. in which the complementary connectingcomponents can easily and rapidly be disconnected from each other.

As with neckties, bow ties are generally unsized. However, because theinvention allows for easy, rapid disconnection or detachment of bow tiepanels, the invention also envisions embodiments wherein one or moreadditional intervening panels may be included. An intervening panel alsohas proximal and distal ends. Intervening panels allow for other fabricsor materials to be included in a bow tie, as well as for adjustment ofthe length of the bow tie panels. In embodiments where one or moreintervening panels are included, the panels at the ends of the bow tieare referred to as the end panels, which are typically intended as thedecorative or fashion components of the bow tie. An intervening panelwill include complementary connector components at its proximal anddistal ends to allow it to be easily and rapidly connected anddisconnected to and from one or more of the other panels to which it isconnected. In some embodiments that employ one or intervening panels,the connectors that connect some of the panels may not be configured forrapid detachment or disconnection; however, the bow tie will include atleast two panels that may be rapidly disconnected using any suitableconnector or fastener. Those in the art will appreciate that proximaland distal panels, and any intervening panel(s), will be sized asdesired.

The bow tie panels for bow ties of the invention can be made of anysuitable cloth or fabric material. Silk, polyester, and cotton arepreferred, although blends or mixtures of these and/or other materialsare also envisioned. One exciting benefit of the invention is thatallows for panels made from different fabrics to be easily joined. Thisallows the owner of several different panels to “mix and match” her/hispanels to create bow ties having panels that different colors, differentpatterns, are made from different materials, have different shapes, etc.Additionally, a user can switch the first and second panels, such thatwhat in one tie was the second panel becomes the first panel and whatwas the first panel in the first tie becomes the second panel in thesecond tie. Accordingly, the bow ties of the invention will allow awearer to more optimally customize and personalize her/his bow tie to aparticular outfit or occasion, particularly when the user has two,three, four, or more different panels that can be used as first orsecond panels in accordance with the invention.

To assemble a bow tie of the invention for use as a fashion accessory,two or more desired panels are selected. In embodiments that utilizeonly two panels, one panel will be a proximal panel, the other a distalpanel. The proximal and distal panels are joined through theirrespective complementary connector components prior to tying the bowtie. In embodiments where at least one intervening panel is employed,the intervening panel is inserted between the proximal and distalpanels. As will be appreciated, the first and panels of the inventionare joined distal end to distal end when no intervening panels are used.When an intervening panel is used, is includes at each of its end aconnector component that is complementary to the connector component onthe distal end of the first or second panel to which it is to beconnected.

Bow ties are worn for decorative purposes around the neck, typicallyresting on or under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Manydifferent ways of tying bow ties are known, and any of them can be usedto a tie a bow tie of the invention. A particularly preferred method oftying is the common shoelace (or bow) knot.

Representative Embodiments

FIGS. 2-6 are drawings that show representative, non-limiting examplesof the invention. FIG. 2 shows a 2-part bow tie (10) that is made byjoining first and second panels (11, 12). The first and second panels(11, 12) each includes a proximal end (16, 18) that has a “bat wing” or“Cricket handle” shape and a distal end (15, 17) that includes aconnector component (13, 14) to form 2-part connector the parts of whichcan be easily disconnected, thereby allowing rapid, easy disconnectionof the first and second panels. Here, the connector comprises a loop(13) and hook (14).

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a 2-part bow tie (20) that is made byjoining first and second panels (21, 22). The first and second panels(21, 22) each includes a proximal end that has a “butterfly ” shape anda distal end that includes a connector component (23, 44) to form 2-partconnector the parts of which can be easily disconnected, therebyallowing rapid, easy disconnection of the first and second panels. Here,the connector comprises a threaded receptacle (23) re receive a posthaving complementary threads (24).

FIG. 4 shows a 2-part bow tie (30) that is made by joining first andsecond panels (31, 32). The first and second panels (31, 32) eachincludes a proximal end that has a “butterfly” shape and a distal endthat includes a connector component (33, 34) to form 2-part magneticconnector the parts of which can be easily separated, thereby allowingrapid, easy disconnection of the first and second panels.

FIG. 5 shows a 3-part bow tie (10) that is made by joining first andsecond panels (41, 42) through an intervening panel (43). The first andsecond panels (41, 42) each includes a proximal end that has a “batwing” or “Cricket handle” shape and a distal end that includes aconnector component (44, 45). The first panel (41) is joined to theintervening panel (43) via the connector component (44) at the distalend of the first panel and the connector component (46) at one end ofthe intervening panel (43). The second panel (42) is joined to theintervening panel (43) via the connector component (45) at the distalend of the second panel and the connector component (47) at other end(47) of the intervening panel (43). Each of the connectors is a 2-partconnector the parts of which can be easily disconnected, therebyallowing rapid, easy disconnection of two or more of the first, second,and intervening panels (41, 42, 43).

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment similar to that depicted in FIG. 2. The2-part bow tie (50) is made by joining first and second panels (51, 52)through an easily detached 2-part connector. The first and second panels(51, 52) each includes a proximal end that has a “bat wing” or “Crickethandle” shape and a distal end that includes a connector component toform 2-part connector the parts of which can be easily disconnected,thereby allowing rapid, easy disconnection of the first and secondpanels. Here, the first panel (51) and second panel (52), are made fromfabric having a different color, pattern, etc., as exemplified by thecross-hatching on the first panel (51) and the dotted hatching on thesecond panel (52).

FIG. 7 shows a 2-part bow tie (60) that is made by joining first andsecond panels (61, 62). The first and second panels (61, 62) eachincludes a proximal end (63, 64) that has a “bat wing” or “Crickethandle” shape and overlapping distal ends (65, 66) that include aconnector component (67, 68) to form 2-part Velcro connector the partsof which can be easily disconnected, thereby allowing rapid, easydisconnection of the first and second panels.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein.Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms“comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and “consisting of” may bereplaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention hasbeen specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optionalfeatures, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosedmay be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims

We claim:
 1. A bow tie, comprising a first panel detachably connected toa second panel.
 2. A bow tie according to claim 1, wherein each of thefirst and second panels comprises a connector component at its distalend, and wherein the connector components complementary arecomplementary.
 3. A bow tie according to claim 2, wherein the connectorcomponents comprise a mechanical and/or magnetic connector.
 4. A bow tieaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are eachcomprised of a different fabric, fabric having a different color, and/orfabric having a different pattern.
 5. A bow tie according to claim 1that further comprises an intervening panel between the first and secondpanels.
 6. A kit, comprising a bow tie according to claim andinstructions for use.